News - Archive

December 2011

Just Performance: Enacting Justice in the Wake of ViolenceDecember 1 & 2
The International Center for Ethics, Justice and Public Life organized an innovative symposium with the Northeastern University School of Law on December 1st and 2nd, 2011, which examined the approaches through which societies seek justice in the aftermath of violent conflict and gross violations of human rights. The exploration focused on four different types of “performance” used by communities and societies to pursue justice and restore trust: public ritual, theater, truth commissions, and judicial proceedings... Read more.

Strengthening Work at the Nexus of the Arts and Peacebuilding: Preliminary Report on Survey
The Program in Peacebuilding and the Arts at Brandeis University conducted an online survey about priorities for strengthening work at the nexus of arts and peacebuilding. Between October 25 and November 2, one hundred thirty-two people completed the survey online; about half identify themselves as artists and cultural workers, and about half as peacebuilders. By far, most respondents conceptualize work at the nexus of peacebuilding and the arts as either "a field" or "an emerging field." In prioritizing the kinds of resources that would be most helpful in strengthening work in this area, respondents ranked most highly the following: funding, technical assistance to strengthen organizations, training opportunities in conflict regions, opportunities for international exchange, and cultivation of leaders. Additional work will be done to analyze survey responses over the next 3-6 months. Read the preliminary report.

November 2011

The Transformative Power of Peacebuilding
November 10
The Common Ground Blog
"Art is not what one sees but what one can make others see.” With this quote from painter Edgard Degas, Sheldon Himmelfarb, Director at the Center of Innovation at United States Institute for Peace (USIP) opened the Conflict Prevention and Resolution Forum on art and peacebuilding. The first panelist was Cynthia Cohen, Director of the Peacebuilding and the Arts program at Brandeis University, Boston... Read more.
Conflict Prevention and Resolution Forum: Arts and Conflict
November 8
U.S. Institute of Peace, 2301 Constitution Ave, NW
Washington, DC
Featured speakers: Cynthia Cohen, Director of the Program in Peacebuilding and the Arts at Brandeis University, and Lena Slachmuijlder, Chief Programming Officer at Search for Common Ground.

The arts provide a window through which communities recovering from conflict can explore painful social wounds. How can peacebuilders better engage the arts, media and culture to their advantage?
Learn more and Register Now.

October 2011

Boston Premiere of "Acting Together on the World Stage"
Evening showcases importance of performing arts in peacebuildingOctober 23
Artists, peacebuilders, students and educators gathered last night in Distler Performance Hall for the Boston premiere of "Acting Together on the World Stage," a documentary about artistic groups around the world who use creativity in the performing arts to address conflict resolution... Read more.

BBC Radio Arts Extra Interview September 28Northern Ireland
Interview with Dr. Cynthia Cohen and Dijana Milošević about the Irish Premiere of "Acting Together on the World Stage" in Derry and Belfast and the cultural work in the region. Listen now.

It’s been a terrific gathering at Brandeis University these past few days discussing strategies and values around Peacebuilding and the Arts. There’s much to synthesize! I’ll post more soon, but to start here’s a quick interview with Carrie MacLeod, faculty at University of British Columbia and at the European Graduate School. Carrie has used arts-based peacebuilding methods for years – and articulates well why the arts are such a powerful tool in creating a safe space for healing and envisioning new relationships.

Erik Ehn is a prolific playwright and peacebuilder who offered intriguing metaphors and keen insight about Peacebuilding and the Arts at this week’s Brandeis roundtable and think tank. Among many other things, Ehn conducts annual trips to Rwanda/Uganda, taking students and professionals in the field to study the history of these countries, and to explore the ways art is participating in recovery from violence. He produces the Arts in the One World conference yearly, which engages themes of art and social change.

Peacebuilding and the Arts Weekend Intensive (Program works with arts to create peace)

The artist does not have to produce his work in isolation; instead of being confined to the walls of his studio, the artist can place his work in a more global, social context. Students and community development professionals came together from April 1 to April 3 to discuss the role of art in a global context and how it can raise questions about conflict...Read More.